Information Assurance
Cookies

- Location, hardware and software used
- Details of links selected
- Mouse movements
- Banner ads selected
- Form entries and email addresses

Cookies have developed a reputation as troublesome items. Some say to turn them ALL off! If they are all bad, why are they used in the first place? Some Web sites have cookies that will remember your information and sell it to third party companies. Cookies can be used to track a Web surfer’s individual habits. Usually this collection is done without the surfer’s knowledge. Some items tracked describe your computer — location, hardware and software used; details of links selected; mouse movements; banner ads selected; and perhaps form entries and email addresses. These items can reveal more than just your name and address. They can reveal your age, income, ethnicity, lifestyle, names and ages of children, purchases, and medical records. For your safety, be sure you read the Privacy terms on each Web site you visit.
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